Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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POLYMERIC BAG WITH EASY ACCESS FEATURES ATTACHED TO THE BAG
WITHOUT ADHESIVES
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure relates to plastic bags with improved opening features.
2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional plastic bags of a wide variety of size and shape are used in
various
situations. Bulk materials, such as flour, sugar, rice, seed, animal feed,
chemicals, powdered
materials or the like, for example, typically have been packaged in woven
plastic bags in the
past. Pet food, bird seed and other products sold in retail stores typically
have not been packaged
in conventional woven plastic bags. Among other reasons for this, woven
plastic bags were
considered too rudimentary to be printed with high end graphics suitable for
consumer type of
packaging. In addition, the high speed requirements in the filling and
packaging operations
limited the use of the woven bags in these applications.
Laminated woven sacks (LWS) were developed using a woven polypropylene
structure
laminated to a bi-oriented polypropylene film (BOPP) that can be reverse
printed with high end
graphics suitable for consumer type of packaging. The LWS provides a stronger,
more attractive
bag than the more conventional multiwall bags used for that purpose over the
last 20 years. Due
to their tough strong structure, conventional ILWS bags are typically sewn
shut on both ends.
These LWS recently met with success and have been successfully substituted for
the
conventional multiwall paper bags used in the pet food industry for many
years.
One major drawback of the sewn LWS has been the closing of the bags at high
speed
filling lines, such as those for filling such bags with pet food. Experience
has shown that sewing
production lines are typically slower than the filling of the multiwall pinch
bottom bags.
Additionally, the sewn bags do not provide an aesthetically pleasing and
useful clean display on
the ends of the bags, thus making it difficult for consumers to identify or
find a desired brand
quickly when the bags are displayed on the shelves at the point of sale, such
as when they are
stacked on top of one another. In addition, the sewn ends required puncturing
the plastic bags
and thus result in a bag that is not sealed, leading to somewhat reduced shelf-
life and possible
infestation of the contents of the bag. Thus, there is a need for pinch
laminated woven sacks that
overcome these drawbacks in the filling and closing operations while allowing
an attractive
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graphic display of the bags' ends at the retail outlet and also providing a
strong, durable bag
which remains sealed.
One major disadvantage of the newly developed pinch bottom laminated woven
sack,
however, is that it does not include an easy open feature that allows the
consumer or purchaser to
quickly and easily open the bag without the use of scissors or knives. There
is a need for such a
pinch bottom laminated woven sack which is easy to open without the use of
scissors, knives or
other such instruments, and also does not require the use of excessive force.
Woven plastic bags have been used and are conventional for certain
applications. An
example of a conventional woven plastic bag is provided in U.S. Patent No.
4,373,979 ("the '979
patent"), issued on February 15, 1983. The '979 patent describes the use of
woven strips of
highly longitudinally-oriented, high-density polyethylene or polypropylene in
a bag construction
in which the bag is formed from a seamed tube made of the woven plastic
material. The seamed
tube has gussets on either side and, when a portion is cut from the rest of
the tube, a bag having
two open, unsealed ends is provided. The '979 patent describes the use of
ultrasonic spot welds
to seal portions of a bag made of such woven plastic strips, as opposed to
sewing the seams of a
bag or using a hot melt adhesive to seal the gusset forming pleat.
The '979 patent purports to be an improvement for sealing a
plastic bag. As noted in the '979 patent, sewing one end tends to take longer,
thus adding time to
the manufacturing process. In addition, the sewn ends in a conventional bag
tend to be a weak
portion of the bag, and a likely location for rips, tearing, and subsequent
loss of contents during
storing, shipping and handling. In addition, such bags may not provide
sufficient protection
from infestation from vermin and/or insects.
Another example of plastic bags is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application
Publication
Number US 2010/0029455 Al ("the '455 publication"), published on February 4,
2010, which
describes production of web sections from a flexible web material that is
provided with tear-off
lines produced by laser beam processing at the distance of the length of the
web sections to be
formed. The tear-off lines weaken the flexible web material, but do not result
in complete
separation of the web sections from the web material, which occurs upon
tearing the flexible web
material.
More recently, some types of plastic bags have provided improvements in
sealing the
ends of the bags. For example, in U.S. Patent No. 6,800,051 B2 ("the '051
patent"), issued on
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October 5, 2004, a process for sealing side fold sacks made of plastic film is
described.
According to the '051 patent, a web of plastic tubular film is cut to provide
a staggered
detachment along a perforation so that one wall (e.g., the front wall)
projects beyond the
opposing wall (e.g., the back wall). The projecting portion of the first wall
is then folded over
and sealed to the opposing wall by means of a plastic adhesive such as a
polyurethane adhesive
or hot melt.
However, such bags
involve plastic films, not woven plastic materials, and therefore are unable
to handle the weight
loads of conventional bulk bags made of paper and other materials. Such bags
are useful for
only certain lightweight contents, such as bread.
There are a variety of conventional ways of providing for reusable openings in
bags. For
example, U.S. Patent No. 6,478,465 B1 ("the '465 patent"), issued November 12,
2002, describes
a peelable opening in a multiwall, pinched bottom open mouth bag construction.
The '465 patent
also describes the use of an adhesive layer that can be used so that the bag
opening is reclosable.
In other types of conventional plastic bags, such as those used in retail and
grocery stores,
= the use of weakened portion provided by one or more perforations in the
plastic bag wall is
known. A number of approaches have been taken in connection with such bags,
including those
shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,188,235 (the '235 patent), issued February 23,
1993, as well as in
U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2005/0087542 Al (the '542 application),
published April
28, 2005, U.S. Patent No. 5, 979,655 (the '655 patent), issued November 9,
1999, and U.S.
Published Patent Application No. 2006/0072856 (the '856 application), issued
April 6, 2006.
However, none of these bags are woven bags, let alone bags with multiple
layers.
Some conventional woven laminated sacks have included re-sealable features,
such as a
re-sealable plastic seal including a sliding member which acts like a "zipper"
between two plastic
flanges. Some conventional woven laminated sacks have included similar
features in an attempt
to provide an easy open feature which may not be re-sealable. However, such
conventional
sacks typically require adhesives or hot melts or the like to secure the re-
sealable or easy open
features to the rest of the LWS. Such approaches add cost and additional
manufacturing time
and also do not necessarily provide a stable seal between the re-sealable or
easy open feature and
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the remainder of the LWS. Moreover, the adhesives and hot melt approaches may
involve the
use of chemicals that may be toxic or otherwise compromise the taste, smell
and/or quality of the
contents of the LWS bag once it is filled. For example, using a hot melt
adhesive to seal an end
of a bag that is then opened and re-sealed after some of the contents of the
bag are withdrawn,
perhaps multiple times, may result in contamination of the contents of the bag
by materials and
contents of the hot melt adhesive or adhesives used. Such a seal from hot melt
or other
adhesives is considered undesirable.
Some woven and non-woven bags are sealed with a single or double fold at each
end with
tape over the single or double fold, stitching at both ends, or a zipper at
one end and a single or
double fold at the other end. However, opening woven and certain non-woven
bags has proven
difficult, due to the strength of the bag. Therefore, what is needed are woven
and non-woven
bags that are easier to open, that are re-sealable, that do not add much to
the cost or time to
manufacture, and are not susceptible to inadvertent tearing, punctures,
breaking, or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure provides woven and non-woven polymeric or plastic bags
comprising an easy access or re-sealable feature, which makes the presently
disclosed woven and
non-woven polymeric bags easier to open than conventional woven and non-woven
polymeric
bags. In addition, the presently disclosed easy access or re-sealable features
are attached to the
woven and non-woven polymeric bags without the use of adhesives, thereby
forming a
plastic-to-plastic seal.
The present disclosure provides a bag comprising a front wall, a back wall, an
interior
surface, an exterior surface, a top end, a bottom end, a first layer and a
second layer, each of the
front wall and back wall having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a
top end and a bottom
end, wherein the first layer comprises a polymer and the second layer
comprises a polymer
attached to the first layer, and wherein the bag comprises an easy open
feature located on the
front wall of the bag, the back wall of the bag, or a combination thereof. The
first layer can
comprise a woven polymer, including, but not limited to, polypropylene, high
density
polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polyester, or any combination thereof.
The second layer
can comprise a polymeric film, including, but not limited to, polypropylene,
polyethylene,
polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, or any combination thereof, or paper or
coated paper
portion suitable for having high quality print graphics thereon, or a
combination of a polymeric
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film and a paper portion suitable for having high quality print graphics
thereon. The second
layer can alternatively comprise an oriented polymeric film, including, but
not limited to,
oriented polypropylene, biaxially-oriented polypropylene, oriented
polyethylene, biaxially-
oriented polyethylene, oriented polyethylene terephthalate, biaxially-oriented
polyethylene
terephthalate, oriented polyamide, biaxially-oriented polyamide, or any
combination thereof.
The first layer and second layer can be laminated together. Thus in certain
aspects the first layer
can consist or consist essentially of a woven polymer and the second layer can
consist or consist
essentially of a film.
In one embodiment the easy open or re-sealable feature comprises a pair of
flanges which
together form a groove into which another member can be removably secured so
that two
opposing flaps can be easily joined together or separated manually by a user
without tools. The
feature may comprise a "zipper" structure with a movable member sealing or
unsealing the LWS
as it is moved along a groove or may consist of one or more flanges that
removably fit together.
In one embodiment, the easy open or re-sealable feature includes a material
comprising
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, a co-polymer of one or more of the
foregoing, or other
polymer, and at least a portion of the outer surface of the LWS includes a
material comprising
the same polymer or co-polymer as the easy open or re-sealable feature. In
another embodiment,
at least a portion of the easy open or re-sealable feature is secured to a
portion of the outer
surface of the LWS by a sealed connection formed without the use of an
adhesive, for example
by placing the easy open or re-sealable feature in a selected location
relative to the LWS,
providing hot air or another gas within a selected temperature range and for a
selected time
period to at least one area so as to seal at least a portion of the easy open
feature or re-sealable
feature to at least a portion of the outer surface of the LWS. Alternatively,
the sealed connection
may be formed by applying pressure to and heating a selected location,
applying ultrasound to a
selected location, or applying radiowaves to a selected location, to assist in
forming a seal
between the outer surface of the LWS and the easy open or re-sealable feature.
In still another
embodiment, the seal between the outer surface of the LWS and the easy open or
re-sealable
feature extends for the entire length of one end of the LWS so as to seal that
end of the LWS
until such time as a user opens the LWS using the easy open or re-sealable
feature.
In certain embodiments the bottom end of the bag is sealed using conventional
means.
For example, at least a portion of a single fold of the bottom end of the
front wall and the rear
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wall of the bag can be sealed to the outer surface of the front wall or rear
wall of the bag, using
an adhesive sealing, heat sealing, adhesive lamination, extrusion lamination,
stitching, ultrasonic
energy, pressure, tape, or any combination thereof. Alternatively at least a
portion of a double
fold of the bottom end of the front wall and the rear wall of the bag can be
sealed to the outer
surface of the front wall or rear wall of the bag. However, in certain aspects
at least a portion of
the bottom end of the rear wall, or the entire bottom end of the rear wall,
projects further than the
bottom end of the front wall. Thus, the portion of the bottom end of the rear
wall that projects
further than the bottom end of the front wall can be sealed to the outer
surface of the bottom end
of the front wall. Additionally, the top end of the bag can be sealed using
conventional means.
For example, at least a portion of a single fold of the top end of the front
wall and the rear wall of
the bag can be sealed to the outer surface of the front wall or rear wall of
the bag, using an
adhesive sealing, heat sealing, adhesive lamination, extrusion lamination,
stitching, ultrasonic
energy, pressure, tape, or any combination thereof. Alternatively at least a
portion of a double
fold of the top end of the front wall and the rear wall of the bag can be
sealed to the outer surface
of the front wall or the rear wall of the bag. However, in certain aspects at
least a portion of the
top end of the rear wall, or the entire top end of the rear wall, projects
further than the top end of
the front wall. Thus, the portion of the top end of the rear wall that
projects further than the top
end of the front wall can be sealed to the outer surface of the bottom end of
the front wall. The
top end and/or the bottom end of the bag can also comprise stitching
therethrough.
In certain embodiments the bag further comprises a first side wall having an
interior
surface, an exterior surface, a top end and a bottom end, and a second side
wall having an
interior surface, an exterior surface, a top end and a bottom end. The first
side wall and/or the
second side wall can comprise gussets. In certain aspects at least a portion
of the bottom end of
the rear wall projects further than the bottom end of the first side wall, the
bottom end of the
second side wall, and the bottom end of the front wall. In an exemplary way to
seal the bottom
end of such bags, the portion of the bottom end of the rear wall that projects
further than the
bottom end of the first side wall, the bottom end of the second side wall, and
the bottom end of
the front wall can be sealed to the outer surface of the bottom end of the
front wall. In additional
aspects at least a portion of the top end of the front wall projects further
than the top end of the
first side wall, the top end of the second side wall and the top end of the
rear wall. In these
aspects the portion of the top end of the bag that projects further than the
top end of the first side
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wall, the top end of the second side wall and the top end of the rear wall can
be sealed to the
outer surface of the top end of the rear wall.
Alternatively a portion of the bottom end of the rear wall can project further
than the
bottom end of the first side wall and the bottom end of the second side wall,
and a portion of the
bottom end of the first side wall and the bottom end of the second side wall
can project further
than the bottom end of the front wall. In an exemplary way to seal the bottom
end of such bags,
the portion of the bottom end of the rear wall that projects further than the
bottom end of the first
side wall and the bottom end of the second side wall, and the portion of the
bottom end of the
first side wall and the bottom end of the second side wall that projects
further than the bottom
end of the front wall can be sealed to the outer surface of the bottom end of
the front wall. In
further aspects at least a portion of the top end of the front wall projects
further that the top end
of the first side wall and the top end of the second side wall, and the top
end of the first side wall
and the top end of the second side wall project further than the top end of
the rear wall. In these
aspects the portion of the front wall that projects further than the top end
of the first side wall and
the top end of the second side wall, and the portion of the top end of the
first side wall and the
top end of the second side wall that projects further than the top end of the
rear wall can be
sealed to the outer surface of the top end of the rear wall. In particular
embodiments the top end
and the bottom end of the bag are sealed, as set forth above, and the bag
comprises at least ten
pounds by weight of a bulk item. In certain aspects such sealed bags can
comprise six printable
surfaces.
Additionally the bag can further comprise a third layer comprising a polymer
positioned
between the first layer and the second layer. The third layer can comprise a
woven polymer,
including, but not limited to, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, low
density
polyethylene, polyester, or any combination thereof. The third layer can
alternatively comprise a
polymeric film, including, but not limited to, polypropylene, polyethylene,
polyethylene
terephthalate, polyamide, or any combination thereof The third layer can
further comprises an
oriented polymeric film, including, but not limited to, oriented
polypropylene, biaxially-oriented
polypropylene, oriented polyethylene, biaxially-oriented polyethylene,
oriented polyethylene
terephthalate, biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate, oriented
polyamide, biaxially-
oriented polyamide, or any combination thereof.
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The present disclosure additionally provides a bag comprising a front wall, a
back wall, a
first side wall, a second side wall, an interior surface, an exterior surface,
a top end, a bottom
end, a first layer and a second layer, the front wall, back wall, first side
wall and second side wall
having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top end and a bottom end,
wherein the first layer
comprises a polymer and the second layer comprises a polymer attached to the
first layer, and
wherein the bag comprises an easy open feature located on the front wall of
the bag, the back
wall of the bag, the first side wall of the bag, the second side wall of the
bag, or any combination
thereof. The easy open or re-sealable feature can be located on the front
wall, the back wall, the
first side wall, the second side wall, or any combination thereof. The first
layer can comprise
polypropylene, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polyester,
or any
combination thereof The second layer can comprise a polymeric film.
It is an object of the invention to provide a woven plastic bag that is
stronger than bags
made of plastic films, and yet easier to open than conventional woven bags.
It is another object of the invention to provide a woven plastic bag that
includes an easy
open feature and still provides strength and durability, reducing the
potential for tearing, damage,
infestation, and loss of contents.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a woven bag that can be
manufactured
more quickly and therefore is less costly than conventional bags, and that has
an easy open
feature that makes opening the woven bag easier than opening conventional
woven bags.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a woven polymeric bag
that provides
an attractive high end graphic display on at least one end of the bags when
are displayed or
presented at the point of sale.
These and other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in
the art from
the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a flush cut bag with an easy open feature comprising a square cut
through the bag
located near the top end of the bag according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 2 shows a flush cut bag with an easy open feature comprising a carat cut
through the bag
located near the top end of the bag according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
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FIG. 3 shows a flush cut bag with an easy open feature comprising a semi-
circular cut through
the bag located near the top end of the bag according to one embodiment of the
present
disclosure.
FIG. 4 shows a pull tab comprising a promotional coupon according to one
embodiment of the
present disclosure.
FIG. 5 shows a flush cut bag with an easy open feature comprising a square cut
through the bag
located near the bottom end of the bag according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure.
FIG. 6 shows a pinch cut bag with an easy open feature comprising a square cut
through the bag
located near the bottom end of the bag according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure.
FIG. 7 shows a pinch cut bag with an easy open feature comprising a square cut
through the bag
located near the top end of the bag according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 8 shows an outline of a pinch cut bag with an easy open feature
comprising a square cut
through the bag located near the bottom end of the front panel of the bag
according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 9 shows an outline of a pinch cut bag with an easy open feature
comprising a square cut
through the bag located near the top end of the front panel of the bag
according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 10 shows an outline of a pinch cut bag with an easy open feature
comprising a carat cut
through the bag located near the top end of a side panel of the bag and
extending through the side
panel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 11 shows an outline of a pinch cut bag with an easy open feature
comprising a carat cut
through the bag located near the top end of a side panel of the bag and
extending across the
entire length of the bag according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 12 shows an outline of a pinch cut bag with an easy open feature
comprising a carat cut
through the bag located near the top end of a side panel of the bag and
extending across the side
panel and the front panel of the bag according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure.
FIG. 13 shows an outline of a pinch cut bag with an easy open feature
comprising a bidirectional
square cut through the bag located near the top end of the front panel of the
bag and extending
into both side panels according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 14 shows a back side view of a pinch cut bag according to one embodiment
of the present
disclosure.
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FIG. 15 shows a front side view of a printed pinch cut bag with an easy open
feature comprising
a square cut through the bag located near the top end of the bag according to
one embodiment of
the present disclosure.
FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view of a top end or bottom end portion of a
pinch cut bag
.. according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
FIG. 17 shows an isometric view of a pinch cut bag according to one embodiment
of the present
disclosure.
FIG. 18 shows an embodiment with an easy open feature at one end of a bag.
FIG. 19 shows another embodiment with an easy open feature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring first to FIG. 1, the front side view of an embodiment of a "flush
cut" bag 1 a is
shown. Bag la has a front wall 10, a back wall 11, a first side wall 12, a
second side wall 13, a
top end 14, and a bottom end 15. It will be apparent, however, that the
orientation of the bag
ends 14 and 15 is unimportant and the "top" and "bottom," as well as "front"
and "back,"
references are useful but may change depending on the orientation one views
the bag. Bag 1 a is
considered a "flush cut" bag because the front wall 10 and the back wall 11
are cut so that the
ends of the front wall 10 and the back wall 11 are essentially "flush" with
one another; they have
substantially the same length. Bag la also comprises an easy open feature 20
near the top end 14
of the bag la, which in this embodiment comprises a full cut 21 in a
rectangular shape having a
first end 21a and a second end 21b through the front wall 10 of bag la, a
first row of perforations
22 extending from the first end 21a of the cut 21, a second row of
perforations 23 extending from
the second end 21b of the cut 21, an optional third row of perforations 24
connecting the end of
the first row of perforations 22 and the second row of perforations 23, tape
25 covering the cut
and the rows of perforations, and a pull tab 26 attached to the tape 25.
Although in this
embodiment the easy open feature 20 is located near the top end 14 of the bag
la and the pull tab
is located close to the second side wall 13, the skilled artisan will realize
that the easy open
feature 20 could also be in the opposite orientation, with the pull tab
located closer to the first
side wall 12, reside in either orientation near the bottom end 15 of the front
wall 10 of bag I a, or
reside in either orientation near the top end 14 or bottom end 15 on the back
wall 11 of the
.. bag I a. The full cut 21 can be formed by punching, cutting, or through the
use of a laser, or by
any other technique known to those skilled in the art. The easy open feature
20 (in this
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embodiment the cut 21 and/or first 22 or second 23 row of perforations)
provides a portion of
bag 1 a that is weakened. This weakened portion can be opened with less force
than required to
open or tear other portions of the bag la.
Bag la can be opened by pulling the pull tab 26, which removes the tape 25 and
the
portion of bag la defined by the cut 21 and the first, second, and third row
of perforations 22, 23,
and 24, respectively. Although not shown in this embodiment, it will be
understood that the full
cut 21 can be larger or smaller, and can extend to a greater or lesser extent,
and the first and
second rows of perforations 22 and 23, respectfully, can extend any distance
from the first end
and second end, respectively, of the cut toward the opposite side wall of the
bag, for example
50%, 75%, 90% or about 100% of the distance from the ends of the cut to the
opposite side of
the bag. In addition, although not shown in this embodiment, the tape 25 can
cover less than the
full extent of the first and second rows of perforations, whatever distance
the rows of
perforations extend across the front wall of the bag, and in certain
embodiments covers only the
full cut portion of the easy open feature 20. Additionally, the pull tab 26
can comprise black and
white and/or color printing (not shown), for example a coupon (not shown), and
can also be used
to reclose the bag.
Referring to FIG. 2, the front side view of another embodiment of a flush cut
bag lb is
shown. Bag lb also has a front wall 10, a back wall 11, a first side wall 12,
a second side wall
13, a top end 14, and a bottom end 15. Bag lb also comprises an easy open
feature 20, which in
this embodiment is near the bottom end 15 of the bag lb and comprises a full
cut 21 in a
triangular or carat shape having a first end 21a and a second end 21b through
the front wall 10 of
bag lb, a first row of perforations 22 extending from the first end 21a of the
cut 21, a second row
of perforations 23 extending from the second end 21b of the cut 21, an
optional third row of
perforations 24 connecting the end of the first row of perforations 22 and the
second row of
perforations 23, tape 25 covering the cut and the rows of perforations, and a
pull tab 26 attached
to the tape 25.
Referring to FIG. 3, the front side view of yet another embodiment of a flush
cut bag 1 c
is shown. Bag lc also has a front wall 10, a back wall 11, a first side wall
12, a second side wall
13, a top end 14, and a bottom end 15. Bag 1 c also comprises an easy open
feature 20, which in
.. this embodiment is near the top end 14 of the bag lc and comprises a full
cut 21 in a semi-
circular shape having a first end 21a and a second end 21b through the front
wall 10 of bag lc, a
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first row of perforations 22 extending from the first end 21a of the cut 21, a
second row of
perforations 23 extending from the second end 21b of the cut 21, an optional
third row of
perforations 24 connecting the end of the first row of perforations 22 and the
second row of
perforations 23, tape 25 covering the cut and the rows of perforations, and a
pull tab 26 attached
to the tape 25.
Referring to FIG. 4, an alternate embodiment of tape 25 and pull tab 26 is
shown, where
tape 25 covers the full cut 21 in a semi-circular shape having a first end 21a
and a second end
21b, but does not cover the full extent of the first row of perforations 22
and the second row of
perforations 23, and does not cover the third row of perforations 24. In this
embodiment, the pull
tab 26 includes instructions to open the bag, but can also comprise black and
white and/or color
printing (not shown), for example a promotional coupon (not shown).
Referring to FIG. 5, the front side view of still another embodiment of a
flush cut bag ld
is shown. Bag id also has a front wall 10, a back wall 11, a first side wall
12, a second side wall
13, a top end 14, and a bottom end 15. Bag id also comprises an easy open
feature 20, which in
this embodiment is near the bottom end 15 of the bag 1 d and comprises a full
cut 21 in a
rectangular shape having a first end 21a and a second end 21b through the
front wall 10 of bag
ld, a first row of perforations 22 extending from the first end 21a of the cut
21, a second row of
perforations 23 extending from the second end 21b of the cut 21, an optional
third row of
perforations 24 connecting the end of the first row of perforations 22 and the
second row of
perforations 23, tape 25 covering the cut and the rows of perforations, and a
pull tab 26 attached
to the tape 25.
Referring to FIG. 6, the front side view of one embodiment of a "pinch cut"
bag 100a is
shown. As shown in FIG. 6, the bag 100a has a first or top end 105 and a
second or bottom end
110. Once again, it will be apparent, however, that the orientation of the bag
ends 105 and 110 is
unimportant and the "top" and "bottom" references are useful but may change
depending on the
orientation one views the bag. Bag 100a is considered a "pinch cut" bag
because one of the front
wall 108 or the back wall 106 are cut so that one of the ends of the front
wall 108 or the back
wall 106 is longer than the other; they have different lengths. In the
embodiment shown in FIG.
6 both of the ends of the bag 100a have a "pinch cut." The bag 100a has a
front wall or surface
108 with top end 116, a rear wall or surface 106, and two side walls 102 and
103. Those skilled
in the art will appreciate that conventional techniques can be used to provide
side gussets in the
12
bag 100a for each of sides 102 and 103 during this forming process. The first
end 105 of bag
100a has portions 112a and 112b of the rear wall or surface
of the bag that extend further
from the body of the bag 100a than do portions 114a and 114b of the material
of bag 100a
forming the side gussets for sides 102 and 103. In addition, the portions 114a
and 114b of the
side gussets extend further from the body of the bag 100a than the top end 116
of the front wall
108 of the bag 100a. As shown in FIG. 6, the front wall 108 of the bag 100a
has an end portion
116 at the first end 105 of the bag that does not extend as far from the body
of the bag 100a as
the end portions 114a and 114b of the side gussets or the end portions 112a
and 112b of the rear
wall of the first end 105 of the bag 100a. Bag 100a also comprises an easy
open feature 120 near
the top end 105 of the bag 100a, which in this embodiment comprises a full cut
121 in a
rectangular shape having a first end 121a and a second end 121b through the
front wall 108 of
bag 100a, a first row of perforations 122 extending from the first end 121a of
the cut 121, a
second row of perforations 123 extending from the second end 121b of the cut
121, an optional
third row of perforations 124 connecting the end of the first row of
perforations 122 and the
second row of perforations 123, tape 125 covering the cut and the rows of
perforations, and a
pull tab 126 attached to the tape 125.
Referring to FIG. 7, the front side view of another embodiment of a pinch cut
bag 100b is
shown. As shown in FIG. 7, the bag 100b has a first or top end 105 and a
second or bottom end
110. The bag 100b has a front wall or surface 108 with top end 116, a rear
wall or surface 106,
and two side walls 102 and 103. The first end 105 of bag 100b has portions
112a and 112b of
the rear wall or surface 108of the bag that extend further from the body of
the bag 100b than do
portions 114a and 114b of the material of bag 100 forming the side gussets for
sides 102 and
103. In addition, the portions 114a and 114b of the side gussets extend
further from the body of
the bag 100b than the top end 116 of the front wall 108 of the bag 100b. As
shown in FIG. 7, the
front wall 108 of the bag 100b has an end portion 116 at the first end 105 of
the bag that does not
extend as far from the body of the bag 100b as the end portions 114a and 114b
of the side gussets
or the end portions 1 12a and 112b of the rear wall of the first end 105 of
the bag 100b. Bag 100b
also comprises an easy open feature 120, which in this embodiment is near the
bottom end 110 of
the bag 100b and comprises a full cut 121 in a rectangular shape having a
first end 121a and a
second end 121b through the front wall 108 of bag 100b, a first row of
perforations 122
extending from the first end 121a of the cut 121, a second row of perforations
123 extending
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from the second end 121b of the cut 121, an optional third row of perforations
124 connecting
the end of the first row of perforations 122 and the second row of
perforations 123, tape 125
covering the cut and the rows of perforations, and a pull tab 126 attached to
the tape 125.
Referring to FIG. 8, a planar view of an embodiment of a substantially flat
sheet of
material from which a bag 100c is to be formed is shown. Shown on the sheet
are front wall 108,
rear wall 106, first side 102 having gusset portion 114a, second side 103
having gusset portion
114b, seam 104, top end 105 and bottom end 110. Also shown is easy open
feature 120, which
in this embodiment is near the bottom end 110 of the front wall 108 of the bag
100c and
comprises a full cut 121 in a rectangular shape having a first end 121a and a
second end 121b
through the front wall 108 of bag 100c, a first row of perforations 122
extending from the first
end 121a of the cut 121 across the front wall 108 of bag 100a, a second row of
perforations 123
extending from the second end 121b of the cut 121 across the front wall 108 of
bag 100c, an
optional third row of perforations 124 connecting the end of the first row of
perforations 122 and
the second row of perforations 123, tape 125 covering the cut 121 and the rows
of perforations,
and a pull tab 126 attached to the tape 125.
Referring to FIG. 9, a planar view of another embodiment of a substantially
flat sheet of
material from which a bag 100d is to be formed is shown. Shown on the sheet
are front wall
108, rear wall 106, first side 102 having gusset portion 114a, second side 103
having gusset
portion 114b, seam 104, top end 105 and bottom end 110. Also shown is easy
open feature 120,
which in this embodiment is near the top end 105 of the front wall 108 of the
bag 100d and
comprises a full cut 121 in a rectangular shape having a first end 121a and a
second end 121b
through the front wall 108 of bag 100d, a first row of perforations 122
extending from the first
end 121a of the cut 121 across the front wall 108 of bag 100d, a second row of
perforations 123
extending from the second end 121b of the cut 121 across the front wall 108 of
bag 100d, an
optional third row of perforations 124 connecting the end of the first row of
perforations 122 and
the second row of perforations 123, tape 125 covering the cut 121 and the rows
of perforations,
and a pull tab 126 attached to the tape 125.
Referring to FIG. 10, a planar view of another embodiment of a substantially
flat sheet of
material from which a bag 100e is to be formed is shown. Shown on the sheet
are front wall4
rear wall 106, first side 102 having gusset portion 114a, second side 103
having gusset portion
11413, seam 104, top end 105 and bottom end 110. Also shown is easy open
feature 120, which
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in this embodiment is near the top end 105 of the second side 103 of the bag
100e and comprises
a full cut 121 in a carat shape having a first end 121a and a second end 121b
through the second
side 103 of bag 100e, a first row of perforations 122 extending from the first
end 121a of the cut
121 across the second side 103 of bag 100e, a second row of perforations 123
extending from the
second end 121b of the cut 121 across the second side 103 of bag 100e, an
optional third row of
perforations 124 connecting the end of the first row of perforations 122 and
the second row of
perforations 123, and a pull tape 127 covering the cut 121 and a small portion
of the first row of
perforations 122 and second row of perforations 123.
Referring to FIG. 11, a planar view of another embodiment of a substantially
flat sheet of
material from which a bag 100f is to be formed is shown. Shown on the sheet
are front wall 108,
rear wall 106, first side 102 having gusset portion 114a, second side 103
having gusset portion
114b, seam 104, top end 105 and bottom end 110. Also shown is easy open
feature 120, which
in this embodiment is near the top end 105 of the second side 103 of the bag
100f and comprises
a full cut 121 in a carat shape having a first end 121a and a second end 121b
through the second
side 103 of bag 100f, a first row of perforations 122 extending from the first
end 12Ia of the cut
121 across the second side 103, front wall 108, first side 102 and rear wall
104 of bag 100f, a
second row of perforations 123 extending from the second end 121b of the cut
121 across the
second side 103, front wall 108, first side 102 and rear wall 104 of bag 100f,
an optional third
row of perforations 124 connecting the end of the first row of perforations
122 and the second
row of perforations 123, and a pull tape 127 covering the cut 121 and a small
portion of the first
row of perforations 122 and second row of perforations 123.
Referring to FIG. 12, a planar view of another embodiment of a substantially
flat sheet of
material from which a bag 100g is to be formed is shown. Shown on the sheet
are front wall,
rear wall 106, first side 102 having gusset portion 114a, second side 103
having gusset
portion 114b, seam 104, top end 105 and bottom end 110. Also shown is easy
open feature 120,
which in this embodiment is near the top end 105 of the second side 103 of the
bag 100g and
comprises a full cut 121 in a carat shape having a first end 121a and a second
end 121b through
the second side 103 of bag 100g, a first row of perforations 122 extending
from the first end
121a of the cut 121 across the second side 103, front wall 108 and into the
first side 102 of bag
100g, a second row of perforations 123 extending from the second end 121b of
the cut 121
across the second side 103, front wall 108 and into the first side 102 of bag
100g, an optional
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third row of perforations 124 connecting the end of the first row of
perforations 122 and the
second row of perforations 123, and a pull tape 127 covering the cut 121 and a
small portion of
the first row of perforations 122 and second row of perforations 123.
Referring to FIG. 13, a planar view of another embodiment of a substantially
flat sheet of
material from which a bag 100h is to be formed is shown. Shown on the sheet
are front wall
108, rear wall 106, first side 102 having gusset portion 114a, second side 103
having gusset
portion 114b, seam 104, top end 105 and bottom end 110. Also shown is easy
open feature 120,
which in this embodiment is near the top end 105 of the front wall 108 of the
bag 100h and
comprises a bidirectional full cut 121 in a square shape having a first end
121a, a second end
121b, a third end 121c and a fourth end 121d through the front wall 108 of bag
100h, a first row
of perforations 122 extending from the first end 121a of the cut 121 across
the front wall 108 and
into the first side 102 of bag 100h, a second row of perforations 123
extending from the second
end 121b of the cut 121 across the front wall 108 and into the first side 102
of bag 100h, an
optional third row of perforations 124 connecting the end of the first row of
perforations 122 and
the second row of perforations 123, a fourth row of perforations 122a
extending from the third
end 121c of the cut 121 across the front wall 108 and into the second side 103
of bag 100h, a
fifth row of perforations 123a extending from the fourth end 121d of the cut
121 across the front
wall 108 and into the second side 103 of bag 100h, an optional sixth row of
perforations 124a
connecting the end of the fourth row of perforations 122a and the fifth row of
perforations 123a,
and a pull tape covering the cut 121 and a small portion of the first row
of perforations 122,
second row of perforations 123, fourth row of perforations 122a and fifth row
of perforations
123a.
Referring to FIG. 14, the back side view of yet another embodiment of a pinch
cut bag
100j is shown. As shown in FIG. 14, the bag 100j has a first end 105 and a
second end 110. It is
useful to think of first and second ends 105 and 110 as the top and bottom
ends of the bag 100j,
respectively. The bag 100j has a front wall or surface 108, a rear wall or
surface 106, and two
side walls 102 and 103. The bag 100j also has a seam 104 on the back side, or
rear wall or
surface. The seam 104 is made when the bag 100 is formed using conventional
methods known
to those skilled in the art. Using such conventional methods, a material from
which a bag 100j is
to be formed (such materials are discussed in detail below) is provided in a
substantially flat
sheet (see FIG. 8 through FIG. 13). The sheet is then directed and formed so
that a portion of
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one side of the sheet is disposed on top of the other side of the sheet, such
as in forming a tube.
The overlapping portion is then secured and sealed together, forming the seam
104. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that conventional techniques can be used to
provide side gussets
in the bag 100j for each of sides 102 and 103 during this forming process.
The bottom (as shown in FIG. 14) of the first end 105 of bag 100j has portions
112a and
112b of the front wall 108 or surface of the bag that extend further from the
body of the bag 100j
than do portions 114a and 114b of the material of bag 100j forming the side
gussets for sides 102
and 103. In addition, the portions 114a and 114b of the side gussets extend
further from the
body of the bag 100j than the top end 117 of the rear wall 106 of the bag
100j. As shown in
FIG. 14, the rear wall of the bag 100j has a top end 117 that does not extend
as far from the body
of the bag 100j as the end portions 114a and 114b of the side gussets or the
end portions 112a
and 112b of the front wall 108 of the bag 100j.
Now referring to FIG. 15, a top side view of bag 100k is provided. For ease of
reference,
the same numerals are used in the Figures to denote the same features of bag
100k. As shown in
FIG. 15, the bag 100k comprises multiple layers of materials 220, 222 and 224.
The first layer
220 is preferably a woven polymeric material, such as polypropylene,
polyester, high-density
polyethylene, or polyethylene. The woven plastic layer 220 can be made of
woven strips of
plastic made of film to provide great strength from relatively lightweight
materials, and can also
be stretched to provide greater strength. For example, cross-laminated, woven
plastic film strips,
like XF films, are useful and are commercially available from Valeron.
Similarly, a biaxially
oriented polypropylene plastic material is commercially available from the
AmTopp Division of
Inteplast Group, Ltd. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other
materials, including
various blends of polypropylene and polyethylene can be used without departing
from the scope
of the invention.
Still referring to FIG. 15, the layer 222 is a coating or a lamination,
preferably a
polypropylene film. Layer 224 is preferably an oriented polypropylene film
with reverse
printing. The layer 224 can comprise reverse printing of various labels,
advertising, warnings,
and other information as may be desired, such as the cover 130 shown in FIG.
15. Although not
shown, those skilled in the art will appreciated that the top side, back side,
and sides 102 and 103
of the bag 100 may all contain such pictures, patterns, or information as may
be desired. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate that the reverse printing of layer 224 can
be achieved with
17
conventional techniques, and with various conventional plastic films. An
advantage of printing
the bottom portion of the front and/or back panels is the provision of
information that remains
visible when the bag is on a display shelf in a store.
Still referring to FIG. 15, the bottom side (as shown in FIG. 15) of the bag
100k extends
outward from the body of the bag 100k at the second end 110 of the bag 100k.
As shown in FIG.
15, the top side of the bag 100k has an end portion 140 extending along the
width of the bag
100k. The side gussets of the sides 102 and 103 of the bag 100k each have
portions 142a and
142b which extend further towards the second end 110 of the bag 100k than the
end portion 140
of the top side of bag 100k. In addition, the bottom side of the bag 100k has
an end portion 110
that extends further from the end portions 142a and 142b of the side gussets.
The end portion
110 of the bag 100k includes portion:
144b. As shown in FIG. 15, the second end
portion of the bottom side of the bag 100k extends along the entire width of
the bag 100k. Also
shown is seam 104.
Still referring to FIG. 15, the exposed end portion
144b of the bottom side of
the bag 100k can be coated with a durable adhesive. The adhesive can be
applied to selective
surface areas, such as portion
144b, or can be applied in a line extending across the
bottom side of the bag 100k along the second end portion 110, including
portion 144b.
After the adhesive is applied, preferably the sides 102 and 103 of the bag
100, together with the
bottom side of the bag 100k are folded so that at least a portion of the
interior surface of the
bottom side of the bag 100k extends over the top surface of the top side of
the bag 100k.
Preferably, the portions 142a and 142b of the side gussets will be folded over
and attached to the
top surface of the top side of the bag 100k, as well as portions 144a and 144b
of the second end
110 of the bottom side of the bag 100k. The coating then seals the second end
110 of the bag
100k together. The first end 105 of the bag 100k can be sealed in a similar
fashion if desired.
Alternatively, the first end 105 or second end 110 of the bag 100k can be
sealed using a hot melt
technique or any other technique well-known to those skilled in the art. Those
skilled in the art
will appreciate that a variety of different adhesives, including hot melt
adhesives, can be used.
Referring now to FIG. 16, a detailed cross-sectional view of an end portion of
the
bag 100 is provided. As shown in FIG. 16, at least a portion of the front side
130 of bag 100 is
now covered by the lowest edge portion 110 of the back side of bag 100, the
extending portions
142a, 142b of side 102 of the bag 100, as well as a portion of the front side
130 of bag 100
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including end portion 140. Once these portions are folded over, heat and
pressure can be applied
as appropriate to obtain and ensure that the bottom end 110 of bag 100 is
durably sealed, such as
with a conventional heat sealable adhesive.
Once the bag 100 is sealed at one end, it can be filled with the desired
materials. It has
been found that a bag 100 with a height of 41 inches and a width of 28 inches
can durably hold at
least about fifty (50) pounds of material without showing undue stress,
tearing, breakage or the
like. It is believed that any bulk material can be contained by bag 100, and
the contents can
weigh up to 100 pounds or so without undue risk of tearing or damage to bag
100. Once the bag
100 is filled, the second end typically needs to be sealed. The second end of
the bag 100 can be
sealed in a similar manner as that described above for the bottom end 110.
Alternatively, the bag
100 can have its second end sealed by conventional means such as sewing. Still
another
approach is to seal the second end in a manner like that described for the
bottom end 110 of the
bag 100, and then stitching one of the two ends (not shown). Although not
shown, those skilled
in the art will understand and appreciate that a second end of bag 100 can be
sealed with
conventional techniques once bag 100 has been filled with the selected amount
of the desired
material.
Referring now to FIG. 17, an isometric view of bag 1700 is provided. As shown
in FIG.
17, the bag 1700 includes a front panel 1701, a first side panel with gussets
1709, a second side
panel with gussets (not visible in FIG. 17), a top end 1703, and a bottom end
1705. The bag
1700 is a pinch cut bag like those described previously, with both a pinch cut
top end 1703 and a
pinch cut bottom end 1705. The bag 1700 preferably has a weakened area (not
shown in
FIG. 17) or other easy open feature on at least one surface (not shown in FIG.
17). As shown in
FIG. 17, the bag 1700 has been filled and sealed and contains one or more
materials. Although
the contents of the bag 1700 may be food, animal food, other bulk items, the
contents may also
contain liquids or mixtures. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
bag 1700, once
formed in accordance with the present disclosure, may be filled and then
either the top end 1703
or the bottom end 1705 or both may be sealed as described previously. As shown
in FIG. 17, the
bag 1700, once filled, presents a bottom panel 1707 on the bottom end 1705
thereof and a top
panel on the top end thereof (not visible in FIG. 17). The bag 1700 may be
stacked on top of
similar or different bags, such as at a grocery store, pet store, or other
display location, such that
panel 1707 is easily visible to a consumer. As shown in FIG. 17 the front
panel 1701, the first
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side panel 1709 and the bottom panel 1707 includes printing (and can also
include graphics), and
it will be appreciated by the skilled artisan that the top panel, the rear
panel, and the second side
panel of bag 1700, which are not visible in FIG. 17, can also include graphics
and/or printing.
Thus bag 1700 has at least six discrete areas for printing and/or graphics,
each formed by a
discrete surface area of the bag 1700. Additionally, the printing and/or
graphics can extend
across more than one panel, or any combination of the six panels (not shown),
or can be
segmented across only a portion of one or more such areas to thereby provide
additional discrete
areas for graphics and/or printing. The panel 1707 may include graphics and/or
printing so that a
consumer is able to quickly, readily and easily identify the brand of the
contents in the bag, such
as the brand name for the pet food therein if the bag 1700 contains pet food.
Alternatively, or in
addition, the printing or graphics on the panel 1707 may contain information
such as price,
composition, expiration date, and the like. In another embodiment, the panel
1707 may contain
printing or graphics that provide a coupon or other price discount or other
offer, either on the
contents of the bag 1700 or some other product. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that the
discrete areas with graphics and/or printing may be limited to only one such
discrete area, but
could easily be six (or even more) discrete areas by using graphics and/or
printing to separate
one or more bag panels into two or more discrete areas (not shown).
Referring now to FIG. 18, a portion of the top end of a bag 1801 is shown. Bag
1801 in
this embodiment is a LWS such as of the type previously described. Bag 1801
includes an easy
open feature 1805 which extends across the width of the bag 1801. In this
embodiment, the easy
open feature 1805 is made of a material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, a
mixture thereof,
or some other polymer or co-polymer. Also in this embodiment, the bag 1801 at
the top end is
made of or alternatively can comprise in substantial the same polymer or co-
polymer as the easy
open feature 1805. In the bag 1801 shown in FIG. 18, the easy open feature
1805 is secured and
sealed to the exterior surface of bag 1801. During manufacture, the easy open
feature 1805 can
be located by placing it relative to the top end of the bag 1801, then blowing
hot air of a
preselected temperature or within a preselected temperature range for a
preselected time period.
The selection of the temperature and time periods to obtain a seal may vary
depending on the
selection of the polymers for the feature 1805 and bag 1801, as well as on the
nature of the seal
desired. This technique allows at least sufficient portions of the inner
surface of the easy open
feature 1805 and the exterior surface of the bag 1801 to fuse or melt together
and form a secure
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and stable seal. Those skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that
alternative ways of
applying heat and/or pressure to the easy open feature 1805 and the bag 1801
may be used to
obtain a secure seal across the width of the top end of the bag 1801.
As also shown in FIG. 18, the feature 1805 includes two opposing flaps 1810
and 1812.
These can be formed as part of the feature 1805 before the feature 1805 is
secured to the bag
1801. Although not shown in FIG. 18, those skilled in the art will appreciate
that the easy open
or re-sealable feature 1805 can be provided with a flange located on the inner
surface of flap
1812 and an opposing pair of flanges on the inner surface of flap 1810 (or
vice versa) so that a
user can easily push the single flange on flap 1812 into the groove between
the pair of flanges on
flap 1810 and create a seal and extend that seal across the width of the top
end of the bag 1801,
such as by pressing the two flaps 1810 and 1812 against one another.
Alternatively, a user can
pull the two flaps 1810 and 1812 apart and thus easily open the top end of the
bag 1801.
Another alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 19. In FIG. 19, the bag 1901
is shown
with an easy open or re-sealable feature 1905 located at or near the top end
of the bag 1901. As
shown in FIG. 19, the feature 1905 extends across the entire width of the top
end of the bag
1901. In this embodiment, the feature 1905 is made of a material such as
polyethylene,
polypropylene, a mixture thereof, or some other polymer or co-polymer and at
least a portion of
the exterior of the bag 1901 can be made of the same material as the feature
1905. The feature
1905 can be secured to the bag 1901 to create a seal as described above.
In FIG. 19, the feature 1905 includes a re-sealable feature which comprises a
movable
slider 1920 which, when moved by a user, either seals a combination of a
flange and groove on
opposable inner surfaces (not shown) of the feature 1905 or unseals the
combination of the
flange and groove. As shown in FIG. 19, a stop 1922 is provided at one end of
the feature 1905.
The stop 1922 helps prevent tearing of the top end of the feature 1905 and
thus helps maintain
the useful life of the bag 1901. The feature 1905 thus provides both an easy
open feature and
also a re-resalable feature in this particular embodiment.
Those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that the bag according
to the
invention may vary in size, dimensions, and shape without departing from the
scope of the
invention, and that the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments is
not intended to
limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the claims. For example,
those skilled in the
art will understand and appreciate that the foregoing bags can have sealed and
sewn ends in a
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tubular bag with side gussets as shown, or a block bottom and top, or a
combination thereof,
although not shown. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that a
weakened portion or area
can be provided in a number of ways that may vary from those expressly
described and shown,
such as by stressing portions of the bag wall with or without deforming,
perforating, or cutting
same, as well as varying the size, number, depth, and/or pattern of
perforations, cuts, and/or
deformations in a bag wall. Such features are conventional with prior art
bags. Similarly, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that terms such as "front" and "rear," and
"top" and "bottom," are
useful in describing a bag, but essentially depend on a bag's orientation when
such terms are
used, and are therefore not limiting as to a bag's orientation.
22
